Convicted robber is accused of new heist in Highland

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Joseph Montes, 23, of San Bernardino, was arrested Aug. 6, 2018, on suspicion of armed robbery. He is accused of holding up a Baker’s in Highland. (Courtesy of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department)

A San Bernardino resident on parole for robbery was arrested Monday, Aug. 6, a day after the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said he robbed a Baker’s restaurant in Highland at gunpoint.

Joseph Montes, 23, was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and was booked into West Valley Detention Center.

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The Baker’s robbery happened about 6:10 p.m. on Aug. 5. The suspect wielded a semi-automatic handgun and demanded money. He took the money, ran to a vehicle and drove away, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Evidence led detectives to Montes, a news release said. He was arrested in San Bernardino.

Montes was convicted of residential robbery in 2015 and was sentenced to state prison before being paroled.

The Sheriff’s Department released a photo of Montes in case there are other victims who have had contact with him. Investigators ask anyone with information on the case to call the detective division at 909-425-9793 or dispatchers at 909-387-8313. Anonymous tips may be left on the WeTip hotline at 800-782-7463 or its website at www.wetip.com.

Brian Rokos writes about public safety issues such as policing, criminal justice, scams, how law affects public safety, firefighting tactics and wildland fire danger. He has also covered the cities of San Bernardino, Corona, Norco, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Canyon Lake and Hemet. Before that he supervised reporters and worked as a copy editor. For some reason, he enjoys movies where the Earth is threatened with extinction.